Chapter 238: Chapter 238

The experienced Dutch defensive midfielder, Van Ginkel, noticed Inter Milan’s intent in this attack.

Van Ginkel was very cunning; he didn’t press Tang Long but caught up to Di Marco.

While chasing, he called out for De Rong to intercept Tang Long, trying to smother the flank attack initiated from the backfield at its inception.

But how could Tang Long be stopped by just a little De Rong?

This season, AC Milan’s two Dutch stars, Van Ginkel and De Rong, have occupied key roles, known for their strong running and intercepting abilities.

Especially when facing middle and lower teams, they often form a suppressing stance, multiple times stealing the ball and launching attacks on the spot.

However, facing Tang Long, these two are still a bit inexperienced!

De Rong had already suffered losses at the hands of Tang Long before.

This time, he changed his defensive strategy. Instead of sticking closely to Tang Long, he approached him, propping his back with one arm, aiming to hinder Tang Long’s turning.

"As long as he doesn’t face the incoming ball head-on, there’s no chance to pass it out!" De Rong thought.

But the Dutch star clearly underestimated Tang Long’s abilities and paid for his arrogance!

The football under Tang Long’s feet became as soft as flowing water~

He took a step forward with his left foot, feigning a turn to the left.

As De Rong’s balance shifted along, Tang Long brushed the side of the ball with the outside of his right foot, then turned like skating, swiftly making a 180-degree circle!

The clumsy De Rong had never seen such a move, and in a blur, only saw a figure flash by—Tang Long was gone!

Upon closer inspection, Tang Long had fully turned around and was advancing forward with the ball!

Tang Long didn’t rush straight ahead with the ball but charged diagonally towards Van Ginkel’s position.

Off the field, Inter’s coach Mancini smiled and nodded, turning to assistant coach Herrera, saying:

"Isn’t this move wonderful? This is the value of a star player!"

Herrera was taken aback, yet to fully grasp Mancini’s intention.

On the field, Van Ginkel found himself in a predicament!

As AC Milan’s defensive midfielder, he had moved away from his midfield position, following the flank’s Di Marco back.

And Tang Long? He was charging towards him with the ball.

If Van Ginkel continued his forward route, then only one right-back, Abate, would remain on Tang Long’s path of advance with the ball.

Boli was still far away, unable to run, trailing behind, and couldn’t catch up at all.

Van Ginkel gritted his teeth and turned to Abate saying:

Then he took a step forward, standing in front of Tang Long, attempting to use his towering stature to obstruct his forward route.

Van Ginkel’s choice was correct; he had to do his utmost to hinder Tang Long’s advance with the ball.

At any time, if a player holding the ball doesn’t feel sufficient pressure, as professional players, they are always the most threatening presence.

But with just a follow, a pause, and another shout, the gap formed by their transitions opened up like a racetrack before Tang Long!

AC Milan isn’t Barça, isn’t Real Madrid, isn’t Bayern.

Their current strength is still far from the top teams in Europe!

Van Ginkel and Abate made a timing error when assigning Di Marco’s defensive position.

"Hey, I’m open here!"

Di Marco, not very fast, gave it his all, pushing along the touchline.

This shout just went out, and it was earth-shattering!

Tang Long sent out a textbook behind-the-ball, football bypassing the defensive gap of Abate and Van Ginkel, rolling towards the left inside of AC Milan’s penalty area.

The defensive line was breached!

AC Milan’s players, like panicked birds, flocked back, their formation suddenly in disarray.

Making his debut at the Milan derby, Di Marco now showed determination and confidence beyond his years.

In that instant, his mind kept replaying Tang Long’s passing scenes on the training ground, along with a phrase he once cautioned:

"Remember! Oftentimes, a one-touch pass is ten times more threatening than a touch-and-pass!"

Di Marco suddenly raised his right arm, like a conductor waving a baton, while his left foot soared, like a leopard ready to pounce.

Skillfully using the delicate intersection of the inner foot arch and laces, like a swordsman precisely aiming at the scabbard, he targeted the ball’s middle.

In an instant, his leg muscles tensed, like a spring releasing, seamlessly kicking and pulling!

In this series of moves, his body was carried by inertia, falling sideways.

And the football seemed to be given life, sliding from his feet with a flat yet rapid parabola, like a shooting star across the night sky, directly striking the center of the penalty area.

This wasn’t just a pass; it utilized the technique of shooting, a perfect fusion of power and skill.

The ball traced an arc in the air, hitting precisely atop Bonazzoli’s head inside the box.

At that moment, Bonazzoli felt an irresistible force suddenly strike him, with a dull thud on his forehead, as if hit by a giant hammer. His vision instantly turned black, and stars danced in front of his eyes!

When he barely managed to pull himself together and looked up again, he witnessed the shocking scene of the football crashing heavily into the net!

The net shook violently due to the impact!

Bonazzoli scored with a header, marking his second goal!

This time, Bonazzoli didn’t use any mesmerizing serpentine moves!

Nor did he have any fierce confrontation with Meeks!

It was entirely thanks to Di Marco’s quick cross from the left, catching Milan’s defense off guard.

With this goal, he capitalized on the opportunity created by his youth team teammate, Di Marco.

Amidst the deafening cheers from the fans in the north stand, Bonazzoli and Di Marco both rushed towards Tang Long, and the three embraced!

Tang Long wasn’t the one who scored, nor did he assist!

But for this game-winning attack, he was the mastermind behind the scenes!

Other Inter players also rushed over.

From afar, Ranocchia punched towards the fans in the north stand.

Trailing by two goals, AC Milan had long lost the will to fight, and coach Inzaghi had already given up resistance.

Inter Milan, assured of victory, also had no need to continue their aggressive attack; they passed the ball around in the backfield to waste time.

At this moment, all Inter fans’ hearts were focused on a match in the south of Italy, in Naples.

Inter players on the field were unaware of the match results.

Meanwhile, the fans in the stands had long shifted their attention away from this Milan derby, taking out their phones to check the score of the Naples game.

The broadcast then cut to the substitutes’ bench.

Coach Mancini and assistant Herrera weren’t watching the match on the field either; they were huddled over a phone, staring at the screen.

Moreover, on the substitutes’ bench, Berni, Hernanes, Andreolli, Yuto Nagatomo, and others were also gathered around the team doctor’s phone.

A sudden cheer erupted from the north stand!

Then, thunderous applause, like a torrential downpour, swept across the entire Meazza stadium.

They had leveled the score to 1:1.

The cheers in the stands were even more enthusiastic than when Bonazzoli scored his second goal!

By then, the match had reached the 85th minute. As long as Udinese held on for another seven or eight minutes, the third place in this season’s Serie A would belong to Inter Milan!

-[Wow, is Udinese really that awesome?]

-[I declare myself a 30-year-old loyal fan of Udinese. I grew up watching their games!]

-[Udinese wasn’t weak to begin with, okay? They’ve even defeated Inter Milan at home before.]

-[I just switched channels, and it was Di Natale who scored with a beautiful overhead kick inside the penalty box! As expected, only he could score such a goal.]

-[No kidding, Di Natale gets better with age. He’s won the Serie A Golden Boot for two consecutive seasons!]

-[Haha, time is running out for Naples; let’s send them this message.]

-[Never been this tense, oh my, please let the Naples match end soon, it’s tormenting!]

Under the anxious watch of the entire stadium’s fans,

the referee blew the final whistle of the match!

On the two gigantic screens at Meazza Stadium,

one read Inter Milan 2:0 AC Milan.

The other boldly displayed Naples 1:1 Udinese!

A sound of chair backs knocking resounded throughout Meazza Stadium!

All Inter fans jumped out of their seats!

They rushed towards the first tier of the stands!

Inter captain Ranocchia covered his face with his hands, sinking to his knees!

In his heart, he was shouting!

Champions League, here we come!